Firefighter salary in Tennessee
Firefighters in Tennessee earn a median of $49,300 a year ($23.70 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,020 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,460 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $59,280. Tennessee ranks 30th of 50 states for firefighters pay. There are 2.1 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $51,590, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,910 | $16.30 |
| 25th percentile | $39,360 | $18.92 |
| Median | $49,300 | $23.70 |
| 75th percentile | $61,670 | $29.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,460 | $33.88 |
| Average (mean) | $51,590 | $24.80 |
Half of firefighters earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,108.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,054.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,896.15 |
| Weekly | $948.08 |
| Hourly | $23.70 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Firefighter salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $62,910 | 1,660 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $54,950 | 300 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $49,300 | 2,170 |
| Knoxville, TN | $47,160 | 970 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $46,060 | 560 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $44,110 | 270 |
| Johnson City, TN | $40,720 | 100 |
| Jackson, TN | $36,140 | 230 |
| Morristown, TN | $36,040 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for firefighters
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $100,960 |
| Washington | $94,520 |
| California | $85,120 |
| New Jersey | $84,130 |
| Illinois | $78,380 |
| Connecticut | $77,630 |
| District of Columbia | $75,870 |
| Colorado | $74,170 |
| Maryland | $73,810 |
| Pennsylvania | $73,460 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $63,400 | $30.48 |
| Security Guard | $36,000 | $17.31 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $59,280 | $28.50 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $50,940 | $24.49 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $74,770 | $35.95 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,200 | $13.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $77,920 | $37.46 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $77,090 | $37.06 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $50,830 | $24.44 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $35,960 | $17.29 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $49,360 | $23.73 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $44,100 | $21.20 |
| School Bus Monitor | $27,250 | $13.10 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-2011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a firefighter make in Tennessee?
The median salary for firefighters in Tennessee is $49,300 a year, or $23.70 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of firefighters in Tennessee earn at least $70,460 a year. The top 25% earn $61,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,910 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $39,360 or less.
How many firefighters work in Tennessee?
About 7,020 firefighters are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.